1 man killed, 5 injured in SUV rollover in North Long Beach

LONG BEACH - One person was killed and five others were injured when the driver of a speeding SUV - possibly racing another vehicle - lost control of the vehicle and hit a center divider, causing it to flip several times, police said Sunday.

The crash occurred at 8:40 p.m. Saturday on Del Amo Boulevard east of Orange Avenue, said Long Beach police spokeswoman Nancy Pratt. Four of the six male passengers were ejected and one of them, Vernon Onofia, 29, of Long Beach, died at a hospital, Pratt said.

The two passengers trapped inside the SUV were extricated by Long Beach firefighters, she said.

Police investigators believe the driver was speeding eastbound on Del Amo when he lost control of the white, 2002 Chevy Suburban, struck the center divider and flipped the SUV several times before it landed in the eastbound lanes, Pratt said.

Witnesses said the SUV was possibly racing a four-door, dark-colored, newer model Infinity, possibly a G35, with tinted windows, driven by a man in his mid-30s. The Infinity stopped at the crash scene and then drove westbound on Del Amo and north on Orange Avenue, she said.

Detectives want to speak with the driver of the Infinity about what he saw.

Whether alcohol was a factor in the collision is under investigation, Pratt said.

All six occupants were transported to local hospitals with varying injuries. Two passengers were treated at a hospital and treated, while the driver and the other two passengers were admitted and listed in critical but stable condition, Pratt said.

Anyone with information about the accident - including the Infinity and/or its driver - should contact Long Beach Police Accident Investigation Detective Brian Watt at 562-570-7355. Anonymous tips can be made by calling 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting TIPLA plus the tip to 274637 (CRIMES) or visiting www.LACrimeStoppers.org.